Windmills

One of the best thing you can do in Bruges is to take a beautiful short walk along the ramparts with its windmills. It is nearby the city center, so after discovering shopping places, beers and coffees, this is a great opportunity to escape from the busy city life for a moment. Belgium has a rich mill history. If you check a map of Bruges from the 16th century, you can see there were no less than 23 windmills here! They were part of the town walls since the end of 13th century. Nowadays, there are four remaining mills between the Dampoort and the Kruispoort: Koeleweimill, Nieuwe Papegaai, Sint-Janshuismill and Bonne Chiere. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/windmills-of-bruges

Although the windmills do make for some beautiful photo opportunities, there was a time that they had a practical purpose. The windmills themselves have their origins in the 1500’s, but most of the ones that are still standing today were built much later. They were originally built by the Venetians, who occupied the island in the 16th Century A.D. Right now, there are a total of 16 windmills that are still standing today. Back then, the primary purpose for these windmills was to mill wheat that grew on the island. The wind power turned the mechanism that enabled them to work. Today, the windmills really aren’t in use, but they sure are pretty. While on Mykonos, you won’t want to miss the chance to visit with some of the windmills and to also snap a few memorable photographs of them. https://www.greekboston.com/travel/windmills-mykonos/

Green's Windmill in Sneinton was built by the father of notable scientist and mathematician George Green in 1807. Today the working Mill is a popular museum and science centre, which teaches new generations of children about the valuable work of George Green. Sadly, the mill was badly damaged by a fire in 1947 but was later restored by Nottingham City Council in the 1980s. The windmill began milling again in December 1986 and the giant sails can still be seen working to this day. George Green was a mathematical genius who developed new ways of doing mathematics, which has helped scientists to understand the world around us. Test your brainpower with the hands-on experiments in the Science Centre which explore electricity, magnetism and light, ideal for young children. https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/greens-windmill-p354661

Maintained by the Barbados National Trust, the mill includes an exhibit of the equipment used to produce sugar at the time when the industry was run by wind power generated from mills such as this one. This unique historic and architectural monument is the only working sugar windmill of its kind in the world today—or was, until 2007, when lightning struck. Currently, under repair, it is still a magnificent sight and a testament to the workmanship and ingenuity of its engineers. The mill consists of a tower, four giant arms, gears that transfer the turning of the sails to the turning of the rollers, housing on top, and a tail that connects the housing to the ground. By moving the tail, the whole apparatus can be rotated to face the direction of the prevailing wind. Though the interpretive center is not now open, visitors can still climb partway up into the mill and see the machine. https://www.visitbarbados.org/morgan-lewis-sugar-mill

Late 18th-century tower mill in use until 1915 and still in working order. Ballycopeland Windmill is the only remaining working windmill in East Down. It was built in the late 18th or early 19th century and was worked until the First World War when it fell into disrepair. It was gradually restored between 1950 and 1978 to full working order. A small visitor centre is located inside the Millers house. Disabled access is not possible within the windmill. This is a group of traditional buildings on a sloping site with changes of level. Wheelchair users can gain access to the exhibition but may find this difficult. Some parts of the complex are inaccessible for wheelchairs. https://www.ireland.com/en-au/what-is-available/attractions-built-heritage/destinations/northern-ireland/county-down/newtownards/all/2-2871/